How I Raised $30,000 In A Month To Help Gay Youth

According to Beyond Blue, same-sex attracted Australians suffer up to 14 times higher rates of suicide attempts than heterosexuals. Fearing his own sexuality as a youth, David Jones, founder and CEO of David Jones Electricians, believed he had to either cure or kill himself. He explains how he raised funds for StartOut, a charity that connects mentors to teenagers of diverse sexualities and genders. As told to Munyarukumbuzi Emmanuel.

As a teenager, I had vowed to do whatever I could do to cure my homosexuality and if I couldn’t, the solution would be to take my own life. The need to conform probably made me sleep with more women. I owe an apology to a fair few women because I realise now that I was using them to have another go.

I reached out to Lifeline asking for a cure for homosexuality and I was referred to a psychologist or sex therapist. Back in the early 1980s conversion therapy was in vogue. The psychologist took my money and didn’t really deliver. I could have done without her and, instead, benefitted from more guidance along the way, at least to see things from different perspectives. It would have been good if Lifeline had referred me to an organisation like StartOut.

About DNA Magazine

Grab your bat and balls this month and dive into the pages of DNA's annual Sports Issue. Our cover boy is Aussie rugby star and model, Jacob Woodhouse, who features in a racy 14-page sports fashion spread inside.
Meet David Jones, the electrician and sportsman who did 30 push-ups a day for 30 days to raise money for at-risk gay teens. And find out what it's like being gay and vegan in the world's toughest sport in our feature on Ultramarathon runner, Andrew Hedgman.
Our in-depth news feature this month examines the life and crimes of the intriguing Chelsea Manning, America’s most controversial trans persons.
We have six pec-stacked pages from the Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and after-party. This month's Pin-Up is sporty spunk, Nick Dawson, as shot by Matthew Rettenmund.
For the fashionistas, we take a look at the latest seasonal sports and gym gear, plus Gear Sportswear chat to us about creating sportswear for men.
Just for fun, this month’s Back Passage takes a look at the history of gay icons – Wonder Woman!
All that and more in DNA #207.